For Baldwin County residents, especially those in art-promoting communities, it might not seem like a new concept to find truth in art. Whether a painting helps us see items in a new light, a book calls up fresh ideas, or a quilt transforms stories of then into stories of now, we call on individual interests, goals and knowledge bases to form reality. But Fred Baldwin’s theatre workshop, to be held at Fairhope Christian Church, will take those euphemisms and combine them with a group—acting together by reacting differently.

Basically, church family and members of the public will come together to attend classes held by the famous actor, director, pianist, composer and designer. He calls on those with all levels of theatre experience, from absolutely none to very much, he said, as he hopes to build a workshop based on the group’s experiences and needs.

“The workshop is to familiarize people with basics of acting, basics of stage movement and improvisation, costume, set design, light design...,” he divulged. “I started in 1966, so in my ripe old age, I feel it’s time to impart some of what I’ve learned to other people.”

“What I’m anticipating is a great deal of fun.”

He said that even in the variety of lessons, the basis will be in taking chances and building confidence.

“We will define stage movement and start off doing monologues to memorize and present to the workshop,” Baldwin began. “We’ll all tell what we did and didn’t believe and we’ll discuss people’s favorite plays and movies.”

“The improvisation is a great deal of fun and teaches that it’s okay to make a fool of yourself in front of other people—theatre can help you in everyday life, in social settings.”

He went on to explain that, “Acting is action, it’s doing stuff. If you have a blank space and people watching, someone walks across that space—and you’ve got theatre already.”

The free program, a part of the Creative Arts Ministry of Fairhope Christian Church, and will run for 20 sessions, ending Nov. 18. Baldwin believes that beginning within the Creative Arts Ministry and branching out to members in the community will promote open mindedness and a conducive atmosphere.

“Nothing in art can happen without truth behind it, and it requires that one gets rid of the unhealthy ego,” he explained.

Registration will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the church, located at 3349 Fairwood Blvd., and Education Committee Chairman Anna Myers said she hopes many will take advantage of the free opportunity to be taught by such a talented instructor.

“We are so thrilled to have someone of his caliber to do this,” she exclaimed. “He’s been our substitute organist and pianist while ours has been very, very ill, and we’re just really fortunate to have him.”

“It (the workshop) just fits right in with our aim.”

She explained that the church had tried for several years to initiate such a program, but that Baldwin’s abilities finally made their dreams possible. She believes he will help others as he imparts his knowledge.

“We are trying to find all avenues for spiritual growth,” she mused. “Everyone has different talents; God gives different people different talents and we want to give them the opportunity to develop that talent.”

Baldwin plans to hold the workshops on Thursday and Sunday evenings.

“Two sessions a week may seem a lot, but it’s to attain cohesiveness,” he explained.

In that vein, he hopes to draw on the experiences and needs of workshop attendees to culminate in an original play to be held at Fairhope Christian.

“The church play will address spiritual needs of those in the workshop,” he said. “It will contain pertinent and relevant issues in the world today, according to what those people are facing.”

“It will raise some questions and pose some question.”

He said he’s also inspired by the location and spirit of art elements at play.

“Being over here--I’ve always loved Fairhope,” he began. “There’s a great deal of art and artists and I want to tap into what’s going on over here.”

“Sharing from those people out there and church people, people are a little afraid of that kind of thing, but great plays have spiritual significance. Plays can be spiritual highlights—anything honest and well done has the ability to move people.”